2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

An instrumental case study (Stake, 1995) explores the perceptions and opinions of engineering postdoctoral scholars of color about ways to improve university postdoctoral affairs offices to better support them personally and professionally. Ten participant interviews were analyzed deductively (Stake, 1995) using cultural marginality (Choi, 2001) as a conceptual framework. Data analysis findings revealed three themes to which postdoctoral affairs offices must be more attentive in the personal and professional journey of postdoctoral scholars of color: (1) prepare them for the transient nature of their positions, (2) smooth their unique work challenges, and (3) address workplace isolation and invisibility. The findings of this study could be useful to postdoctoral affairs offices and postdoctoral advisors in advocating for the needs and priorities of this population. By prioritizing and addressing their concerns, such offices can create a more productive and satisfying postdoctoral experience, leading to a smoother transition into academia, industry, or government employment.